President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday declared his commitment to depoliticising and revolutionising cricket in Sri Lanka by 2030.
The President unveiled a plan, emphasising the need for an independent trust to oversee the financial administration and development of school cricket, backed by a substantial budget allocation.
He was addressing a ceremony held to mark the 150th anniversary of the Colts Cricket Club (CCC). President Wickremesinghe expressed his vision for the future of Sri Lankan cricket, adding that the game should thrive beyond political influences.
He said it was important to maintain transparency and efficiency in using funds earmarked to develop school cricket, revealing a significant budget allocation of Rs. 1.5 billion for the current year, with expectations of an annual increase to Rs. 2 billion in the future.
The President said he was committed to abolishing the powers of Interim Committees and the Sports Minister in cricket affairs. He highlighted the imminent introduction of new laws designed to keep sports free from political interference, reinforcing his dedication to fostering a transparent and accountable cricket administration.
President Wickremesinghe outlined plans for an independent trust to manage the allocated funds and spearhead the development of school cricket. He said it was important to conduct all activities with utmost transparency.
The President’s commitment to develop cricket at the school level was a central theme of his address. He unveiled plans to allocate funds to improve cricket infrastructure, including pitches and equipment, particularly in the less developed provinces such as the North Central Province, Eastern Province and Uva.
President Wickremesinghe also outlined plans to transform the dilapidated Diyagama ground into a dedicated sports campus. This project includes collaboration with the cricket board and other controlling bodies to develop the ground into a state-of-the-art facility that can host regional and international events.
